St. Augustine History
How It All Began

As St. Augustine history shows, our town is “the oldest continually occupied European settlement in the continental United States”. Now that is quite a title.

Touring around the city you’ll find some very old treasures; the grounds of the Mission Nombre de Dios, the Castillo de San Marcos, and the Oldest House; just to name a few.

Our history is really quite interesting and I encourage you to read through the following list for a brief overview of our important events.

It seems like a long list but after all St. Augustine has been around...

Since 1565!

St. Augustine Florida History

* 700 A.D. — Timucua Indian Tribes inhabit the St. Augustine area.

* 1513 — Juan Ponce de Leon claims Florida for Spain.

* 1564 — French establish Fort Caroline on the St. Johns River (east of present day Jacksonville)

* 1565 — St. Augustine founded by Pedro Menendez de Aviles of Spain. He also defeats the French and regains Spanish control of Florida.

* 1567 — First Mission in North America is established in St. Augustine.

* 1573 — King of Spain decrees town plan for St. Augustine and Spanish colonies.

* 1586 — Sir Francis Drake of England pillages and burns the city of St. Augustine.

* 1661 - Coquina (native shell rock) is quarried on Anastasia Island for city construction.

* 1668 — The English pirate Robert Searles sacks and burns St. Augustine.

* 1672—1695 — Spanish build the Castillo de San Marcos (the fort) to protect the city and provide a safe haven for the Spanish treasure fleets.

* 1702 — James Moore, English governor of Carolina, unsuccessfully attacks the Castillo, burns the city.

* 1704—1719 — A series of earthen walls are built around the city for protection.

* 1738 — Fort Mose, is established, the First Free Black Settlement in the country.

* 1740 — British general of Georgia, James Ogelthourpe, shells the city and Fort with no success.

* 1740—1742 — Fort Matanzas is built to protect the southern inlet.

* 1763 — Florida is ceded to England, many Spanish St. Augustine residents leave for Cuba.

* 1775 — The American revolution begins, Florida remains loyal to England.

* 1783 — Florida is ceded back to Spain by treaty at the conclusion of the revolution.

* 1808 — City Gates are built from coquina rock as the entryway to the city.

* 1821 — Florida becomes American territory with St. Augustine named capital of East Florida.

* 1845 — Florida admitted as 27th State.

* 1861—1865 — Florida joins the confederacy. St. Augustine surrenders to Union forces and remains under their control during the war.

* 1866 — Sisters of St. Joseph arrive and open schools for newly freed Black children.

* 1874 - St. Augustine Lighthouse begins operation.

* 1885 — Henry Flagler, co-founder of the Standard Oil Company, begins transforming St. Augustine into a visitor destination building hotels, churches, houses and a railroad.

* 1920’s — Florida land boom, Anastasia Island begins development.

* 1927 — The Bridge of Lions is built. Currently under restoration. Estimated completion date: 2009.

* 1960's - Many houses are reconstructed in the Historic District.

* 1964 - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders conduct marches and rallies in St. Augustine.

* 1968 — Flagler College opens in Henry Flagler’s Ponce de Leon hotel.

So, don't you agree, St. Augustine History is quite fascinating? Not at all boring, and now you will understand what you are looking at as you tour around the city.

There are many sites that offer a more detailed look at St. Augustine History if you are so inclined to study further. This is meant to offer you a brief overview of how it all began.

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